Local primary producers gathered at the Clifton Creek Community Demonstration Site last week to inspect the latest paddock developments under the Top Soils Kikuyu Oversowing Project.
Organised by Southern Farming Systems in partnership with the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA), the interactive “walk and talk” field session focused on practical pasture management strategies designed to help farmers optimise overall feed yield.
Key discussions centred on maintaining productive perennial pasture species oversown into Kikuyu-dominant paddocks, alongside best-practice management for oversowing annual grazing cereals into established Kikuyu stands.
Agricultural specialist Neil Moss led the in-paddock discussion, offering practical insights into grazing management and plant physiology.
A central takeaway for attendees was the importance of precise grazing timing when working with annual cereals. Moss demonstrated that once cereal crops begin developing hollow stems, their ability to regrow after grazing drops significantly— making early and well-timed stocking essential for producers aiming to achieve multiple grazing rotations and maximise seasonal yield.
The demonstration site event forms part of the ongoing Top Soils initiative, delivering hands-on trial data and regional advice to support East Gippsland landholders in improving soil health and pasture productivity.
